Woman, 88, dies following car wreck after being reported missing

An 88-year-old Arlington Heights woman reported missing Tuesday died today after police discovered her in her car in a Rolling Meadows ditch, authorities said.

Lillian Kauffman, of the 1200 block of West Sunset Dr. in Arlington Heights, was found about 12:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of Golf Road, according to a Rolling Meadows police news release. Kauffman was behind the wheel of a red Honda Civic, which police found in a ditch near Interstate 90.

A neighbor of Kauffman's contacted a family member of hers on Tuesday, and told the family member she had been acting disoriented and confused, Hayes said. When the family member went to Kauffman's house after being unable to make contact with her, the garage door was open and her car missing, Hayes said.

The family member reported Kauffman missing about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Hayes said.

Today, Arlington Heights police were contacted by Rolling Meadows police after Kauffman's car was found to have been in the accident, Hayes said.

The Rolling Meadows Police Department and Cook County medical examiner’s office are investigating the incident. Investigators do not suspect foul play, according to Rolling Meadows police.